Montana voters are intensifying their focus on Senate candidate Tim Sheehy as questions arise about his account of a controversial 2015 gunshot incident in Glacier National Park. The inconsistencies in Sheehy’s story could impact voter confidence as he campaigns for a crucial Senate seat, with both parties closely watching the outcome of this pivotal race.
Here’s a closer look at Sheehy’s account of the incident and the ongoing controversy surrounding it.
Tim Sheehy addresses 2015 gunshot incident
Montana GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s evolving story around a gunshot wound has led to increasing public scrutiny and confusion, especially after a recent interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly.
“There’s not an extensive medical record for any of this stuff,” Sheehy said, explaining the lack of documentation for the bullet lodged in his arm since a 2015 incident in Glacier National Park. However, Kelly pressed him on this, pointing out that voters were unclear about the incident. “It’s so confusing,” she told him. (via MSNBC)
The controversy stems from an incident where authorities fined Sheehy for illegally discharging a firearm. According to the initial account he gave at the time, Sheehy accidentally shot himself while handling his gun. However, his story changed recently; he now claims the bullet came from a prior friendly fire incident in Afghanistan during his service as a Navy SEAL, and that he only sought medical attention at the park because he feared the bullet had shifted after a fall.
The inconsistencies have led to further inquiries, with Democrats accusing Sheehy of dishonesty. They have demanded that he release military records to substantiate his claims. A Democratic spokesperson argued that Sheehy “has to have lied about his injury,” whether to military officials or to park rangers and law enforcement in 2015. However, Sheehy insists he intended to protect his team from investigations, stating, “I didn’t want the teammate who had fired that shot… to be punished.”
Despite these controversies, Sheehy remains a critical GOP candidate in a Senate race seen as pivotal for Republicans. As the election nears, Sheehy’s account remains central to voter perceptions, and he continues to defend his story, though Kelly and others have labeled it “confusing.”
